Native Rhode Island Garden, Children’s Museum
Perennial Planters, Zone II
1999 Founders Fund Winner
In 1997, the Providence Children’s Museum outgrew its 5,000 square foot space and relocated to a 17,000 square foot former factory building in Providence’s historic Jewelry District. The greater space allowed the museum to create exhibits and programs to inspire children and celebrate learning through active play and exploration.
The 1999 Founders Fund Award went to create a special garden learning center with an outdoor classroom of interactive exhibits. The garden was designed as a microcosm of the state of Rhode Island and mosaic map created to define the state’s different habitats. The Founders Fund Award allowed for the planting of native trees, shrubs and perennials so that the space could be used as a year round natural classroom.
Today the garden is an integral part of the museums programs and activities. Play spaces have been added to encourage children to discover how nature works and programs are held outside in the garden. It is maintained by the Providence Children’s Museum staff.
